Coronavirus

Coronavirus update, June 8: Positive cases in Stanislaus County over 900 as rates raise

Here is the latest on the coronavirus outbreak from in and around Modesto and Stanislaus County.

Latest facts on COVID-19 testing in Modesto area

Positive cases of the coronavirus jumped past 900 on Sunday, and recent positivity rates are shown to be climbing.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency reported 36 new cases, putting the total number at 901. Sunday’s total was the highest single-day total since the agency has been keeping track.

The overall positivity rate increased to 5.6%, up from 5.5% the previous day. However, Sunday’s totals brought the positivity rate over the past five days to 7.47% – of the 1,793 test results since June 3, 134 were positive. That rate from the previous five days stood at 5.12%.

Stanislaus County officials told The Bee they are keeping an eye on all data since residents have moved into the deeper part of the Phase 2 reopening plan on May 20, essentially opening restaurants and other businesses and activities.

The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 145, no change since Saturday, and 682 – up from 670 – are presumed to be recovered.

Among the five county hospitals, 45% of total beds are available, 43% of intensive care unit beds are available, and 80% of ventilators are available. Those numbers have held steady the past few weeks. It’s not clear if those numbers have been updated over the weekend.

Of those who tested positive, 55% are female and 45% male. Nearly two-thirds of those infected are 50 years and younger. Eleven percent are 20 or younger, 17% are 21 to 30, 18% are 31 to 40, 18% are 41 to 50, 16% are 51 to 60, 9% are 61 to 70, 6% are 71 to 80, 6% are 81 to 90, and 2% are older than 90.

Modesto has 279 positive cases, 216 are in Turlock, 106 are in Ceres, 54 are in Patterson, 31 are in Riverbank, 17 are in Oakdale, 14 are in Newman, 14 are in Waterford, and eight are in Hughson. Of the cases in unincorporated areas, 68 are in supervisorial District 5, 46 in District 3, 30 in District 2, 13 in District 1 and fewer than five in District 4.

As of Sunday morning, there were 130,615 confirmed cases in California and 4,632 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. There were 1,942,363 U.S. cases and 110,514 deaths.

Here is the state tracker.

Stanislaus County to help cities with CARES funding

Stanislaus County could spread $15 million in CARES Act money among its nine cities to help with costs of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The proposed allocations are based on population. Read Ken Carlson’s story.

Counterprotesters at George Floyd rallies must stand down

Black Lives Matter protesters showed no inclination toward violence at a George Floyd rally in Oakdale -- till counterprotesters showed up. People wanting to pick fights should stay home. Read our Editorial Board’s take.

Some employees won’t return to work despite reopening

A Stanislaus County conservative business owner wrestles with his conscience for requesting government coronavirus stimulus money. Meanwhile, his employees won’t return to work because they make more in handouts.. Read community columnist’s Steve Taylor’s story.

Counties can let bars, gyms open

Bars, gyms and a wide range of other venues can begin reopening in California starting next week under new state guidance announced Friday. County officials will make the decisions. Read the story.

Stanislaus has manageable caseload

Stanislaus County officials have not seen conclusive evidence of a large surge in coronavirus infections since the county reopened for business last month. Read Ken Carlson’s story.

No camps? Shouldn’t travel? What can you go this summer?

The pandemic isn’t over but it’s summer and you want to get outside. Here are some tips for activities that are safe, at least safer, to do. Read ChrisAnna Mink’s story.

Showers for homeless resume

After suspending service in mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Modesto Church in the Park’s Cleansing Hope Shower Shuttle reopened Tuesday, with the Laundry Shuttle to follow suit on Thursday. Read Deke Farrow’s story.

Around California, United States and world

Deaths in California nursing homes from COVID-19 more than doubled during the month of May, as skilled-care facilities for the elderly continue to disproportionately bear the brunt of the pandemic across the United States. Read the story.

The World Health Organization, which had resisted calls to advise people to wear cloth face masks in public, now says the masks have a role to play in fighting the spread of coronavirus. See the story.

Some people in the United States have resorted to drinking or gargling diluted bleach and other risky methods to try to find off coronavirus, a new survey says. Read the story.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Coronavirus in California

Brian Clark
The Modesto Bee
Editor Brian Clark has worked at The Modesto Bee since 1990. He’s worked in various departments, including sports, news and on the digital side for a decade before being promoted to editor in 2018. He’s a native of Berkeley and a graduate of San Diego State University. Prior to The Bee, Brian worked at the Turlock Journal and Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER